Correa was taken first in the 2012 draft and Gausman was taken fourth, just behind catcher Mike Zunino, who is already making waves at AAA.

Gausman, the former LSU pitcher, is making the jump from AA after only 61 minor league innings. Unusual for a pitcher, to say the least. Zunino has done well in his short run too and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in Seattle at some point during 2013 after he catches up to the AAA game.

It’s just another example that the Astros are focusing on 2015 and 2016 for the return to respectability. Correa and other top prospects are expected to arrive around that time.

Speaking of shortstops, Jonathan Mayo lists three in the Astros’ Top 20 prospects. Another one is a former first round pick. Correa, former Florida standout Nolan Fontana and Jonathan Villar are all in line to play in the six spot for the Astros. Jio Mier, taken with the 21st pick in 2009 (ahem, just five picks before Mike Trout) has obviously not lived up to expectations, but remains in the mix.

Villar could make his debut this season, but it’s Fontana or Correa who likely have reservations for the spot.

The Astros could use Kevin Gausman though.

Can you imagine Gausman making his debut this year, Jarred Cosart joining the rotation next season and perhaps even Mark Appel in 2015? The Astros haven’t seen the likes of that level of rotation prospects since Roy Oswalt, Tim Redding and Wade Miller were young pitchers in the system.

The fast-moving promotions of Gausman and Zunino also demonstrates the level of play, not only in the Southeastern Conference, but also the style and competition in major college baseball. Often, a top college program like LSU, Stanford, Florida and a handful of others is compared to AA. Those colleges play against top quality, often in front of larger crowds than many AA teams.

Which means Appel — like Gausman — would likely not need as much time to incubate in the minor league system.

Most fans are crossing their fingers the Astros don’t trade Bud Norris or Lucas Harrell this summer. They’re good pitchers and good place holders. But, frankly, they may become a footnote in the conversation as Cosart, Gausman, Appel, Nick Tropeano, Mike Foltynewicz and Lance McCullers take the stage.

Getting ahead of myself? Yes, perhaps, but do you see Norris or Harrell part of the 2015 mix wtih Cosart, Appel, Tropeano, Foltynewicz and perhaps Brad Peacock and Asher Wojciechowski?